Deployable onboard oil containment system

ABSTRACT

A deployable marine on-board containment system of a clear plastic wall, supported by a floatation counter balance system to allow for towing and surrounding of any marine surface spill; with rapid deployment and containment of any marine spill that consists of floating matter permitting almost total collection of any marine spill in the open sea, on a river or in a coastal shoreline area; without using chemical or any other additives thereby allowing the collected material to be recovered and reused.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/347,700 filed Jul. 3, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present application relates to a deployable onboard oilcontainment system designed to contain all marine oil spills or anymarine surface spill that has flotation matter. The system of thisinvention is modular and can expand to surround any distance of thespill. Due to the height and depth of this system by using the improvedstabilization arrangement, the wall which is part of the system will notencounter the problems of the present booms used for marine oil spillcontainment.

[0003] Deployment of the present containment system around an open seaspill will allow for substantially 100% recovery of the spill that hasnot either evaporated or sunk. Thereby allowing for the use of skimmersinside the perimeter wall, while containment of spill remains intact.The system of the present invention will also serve as the main and onlyline of defense necessary to protect the coastal shorelines.

[0004] In case of a spill that does not have the present on board oilcontainment system for deployment, or due to sever damage of the shiptogether with violent water wave action, any type of recovery action orrestricting movement of the spill is usually prevented. Deployment ofthe present containment system by stretching it in front of shorelinewill prevent any spill from reaching land at anytime. The presentcontainment system will also work in rivers acting as a control dam.While allowing waters to pass beneath the system, the wall will preventany floating matter such as oil or debris from floating down stream,thus eliminating more contamination to the waterways.

PRIOR ART

[0005] Included in the prior art are many systems for containment ofbodies of water and the use of effective disposal equipment. Generally,oil containment systems in use consist of various types of booms. Thesebooms can be divided into several different types: Non-rigid orinflatable booms. The purpose of a boom is to contain the spill andlimit the mobility of the spilled material allowing for complete andrapid recovery.

[0006] Currently, oil recovery teams using the boom recovery method canonly recover 15% of the oil wasted into the waterways, by using up tofour layers of boom it has been documented on its recovery. Problemsnoted include that these booms are too short; some have intermittentspacing allowing oil to escape either over the top or between thespacing. In most cases the use of walls or skirts have had greatdifficulty with containment and positioning, rendering the boom mostlyineffective in containment. For massive spills there is never asufficient and satisfactory boom to effectively surround the area.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,261 relates to a flotation containment systemof the boom-type which is collapsible for compact storage and whichincludes improved heat resistance properties, making the boom able tocontain a burning surface containment for long periods of time. Thereappears to be no provision for an upper wall and floatation stabilizingcounter balance system to keep the upper and lower wall upright duringdeployment and containment.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,674 relates to a self-inflatable containmentboom having a plurality of self-inflatable units with chambers connectedend to end. There is no provision for an extended upper containment wallhaving a means for floatation stabilization by a counter balance systemto keep the upper and lower wall upright during deployment andcontainment. This inflatable flotation system has an open cell foammaterial positioned in an inner space.

[0009] Deficiencies in the general floating oil barrier found in theprior art include, but are not limit to:

[0010] A) Circumstances where oil is never secure within the barrierbecause it does not enclose a spill, but wraps around in a U-shape andcollects as much oil as the barrier will allow.

[0011] B) The floating oil barrier is not designed for on-boarddeployment, which delays clean up time.

[0012] C) Reliance on aircraft or ship for delivery.

[0013] D) Retarded or difficult deployment, which impedes cleanup andallows spill to worsen.

[0014] E) A barrier will not challenge swells over 1 meter.

[0015] F) The barrier allows oil to funnel through its sectional breaks.

[0016] G) A reliance of compressed bottle gas for deployment andflotation.

[0017] H) Susceptibility for combustion.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The oil containment system of the present invention is a two partsystem that consists of a first part is a four meter tall clear vinylplastic that is 40 mil in thickness, with connecting zippers andoverlapping lips on each end to lengthen the wall. The plastic is clearto allow the overseeing of the containment, removal and clean up. Thewidth of this wall starts at 200 meters and comes in sections of 200meters. The length of the wall is modular and can connected and expandedto surround the length of any spill. This wall is designed to standseveral meters above the water surface to prevent swells up to six feetriding over this wall. The wall also extends several meters below thewaters surface in order to prevent the under drift of any matter that iscarried by waves. Each end of the wall is connected together aftersurrounding the complete spill. This assures for virtually 100 percentcontainment of any surface spill inside its perimeter. A second part ofthe oil containment system of the present invention is a series ofcounter balances. The materials consist of freeboard that is coveredwith aluminum for strength. Typically, 3.5″ thick×7.5″ wide freeboard isacceptable for the counter balances.

[0019] There are four connecting parts to the counter balance.

[0020] 1) Counter balance beam 30, which is a vertical support beam,which attaches to the wall 10 above the surface of the water. It allowsfor a substantially vertical plumb position of the wall.

[0021] 2) Counter balance beam 32 is a horizontal beam that is connectedto counter balance 30 that lies flat on the water surface to assure theflotation the wall.

[0022] 3) Counter balance pole 34 is a 2″ wide pole that supports bothcounter balance beams 30 and 32 and is positioned at a 45-degree angleto assure the strength support of the counter balance system. In thismanner there is a triangle formed that supports the upright positioning,strength and flotation of the wall.

[0023] 4) Attached to the right side of counter balance beam 30 is asupport spacer pole 14 that prevents collapsing from side to side. Thispole 14 connects to each counter balance beam to allow for continuousupright positioning.

[0024] Attached to the end of counter balance beam 32 is a counterweight 36, which performs two principle functions. One function is toplace support to the weight of the wall per square inch, thereby notpermitting the wall to tip forward. In this way, the weight isdetermined based on the distance between each counter balance. Thesecond function is to serve as a drag weight to allow for smoothertowing and allowing the counter balance beams to remain in an uprightposition during the tow to position the containment system of thepresent invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1: is a drawing representing the containment system of thepresent invention being towed into position. The wall is placed on theback of the ship on spools controlled by hydraulics for smoothermovements. A is container also placed on the back of the ship for thestorage of the counter balance.

[0026]FIG. 2: is a front view of the full containment wall without thecounter balance system.

[0027]FIG. 3: is a front view of the containment wall section above thewater, with the counter balance attached. This drawing also displays thevertical spacers connected.

[0028]FIG. 4: is a front view of the containment wall below the watersurface, this also shows the weights at the bottom skirt to maintain therigidity of the wall.

[0029]FIG. 5: is a view of the counter balance in an open position froma left side view showing the counter balance locked into position withthe counter weight attached and the connector for the horizontal spacer.

[0030] FIG 6: is a view from the right side of the counter balance fullyassembled. Along the side of counter balance is the vertical spacer thatextends up and outward to connect to the next counter balance.

[0031]FIG. 7: is an overhead view of the containment system of thepresent invention above and below the water surface with all componentsconnected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Referring to the drawing in FIG. 1: there is a depiction of atanker that has the deployable on-board oil containment system of thisinvention. The tanker has struck as reef and oil is spilling out. Twolifeboats that are equipped with out board motors and a tow loop 18 toattach the cable of the wall can deploy the containment system of thisinvention. The two spools swing to an outward position and lowered intothe water by hydraulics. The two boats facing the opposite directionwill pull on radio command to ensure that tension on the wall staysrigid. Upon command the boats will either speed up or slow down. Becausethe wall is on a spool and is only released during radio command thisallows for the boats to have less weight to tow. After about the first20 meters the weight reverts back to the spool regardless of thedistance being pulled.

[0033] With reference to FIG. 2, there is a front view of the wall 10from top to bottom without the counter balance system attached. Thenumbers represent the following: 10 is the wall itself The material is aheavy weight clear plastic, 40 mil clear vinyl plastic has been found tobe satisfactory, so that the clean up can be viewed while in progress.Other material can be used. The wall typically stands a total of about 4meters in height and is modular with each section about 200 meters inlength, connecting zippers 22 and overlapping edges 23 are provided oneach end of the modular section. This wall can be customized to ashorter length to fit the size of any boat, and the amount of potentialspill on board the boat. With this wall depth of its skirt, water hasbeen proven to flow around and beneath the wall leaving the debris to becontained. Anchor support holes 12 are placed into the wall 10. Thesewalls 10 are reinforced to support the weight that is attached to keepthe skirt of the wall from bending backwards, allowing for a more rigidskirt against the current. Vertical support poles 14 slide insidespecial made seams in the wall 10, both above and below the watersurface. The material for construction of the vertical support poles 14can be of various material, however a satisfactory lightweight plasticis polyvinyl chloride or “PVC” plastic. This material is lightweight,flexible and in short pieces extremely strong. Typically, if each poleis 1½ meters in length and 1 inch in circumference satisfactory strengthcan be achieved in the support system. The support poles 14 are spacedapart along the length of the wall. It has been found that support poles14 placed about 20 centimeters apart assure near maximum strengthsupport to the wall 10.

[0034] Secure wall straps 16 are made of woven fabric that can be aresown into the wall with two pieces on both sides sown together to insuremaximum strength against tearing of the wall during towing. It has beenfound that the use of nylon as the material for constructing the wallstraps is acceptable. These straps 16 have clamps that slide togetherand lock into place with a manual release for removal. The straps 16 aredesign to hold the counter balance beam 30 vertically against the wall10 thereby not allowing any separation of the wall and counter balancesystem. All straps 16 are above the water surface 28 and are placed forbalance support. Tow loops 18 are designed and placed at the beginningand end of each 200-meter section. They are constructed of nylon fabricsown together on both sides of the wall with a loop thereon for thatattachment of the towline. The three loops are placed above the waterline. This allows for a more even towing, without lifting the wall outof the water.

[0035]FIG. 3 is a front view of the containment wall 10 above the watersurface 28, with counter balance system attached. There can be seen thewall 10, the vertical support poles 14, secure wall straps 16, tow loops18, counter balance beam 30 secured against the wall by the secure wallstraps 16 to allow the wall to remain plumb. The connecting zipper 22 isshown with overlapping flap 23 that securely connects the wall sectionswithout adding stress when being towed, made of nylon and plastic. Thehorizontal support spacer 24, when not used, lies connected resting onthe side of the counter balance beam 30 in a vertical position. Whenconnected as shown in FIG. 3 is fully attached from counter balance tocounter balance 30. For stability the connecting poles 23 are used toassure that the wall does not tilt over on its side. The connectingpoles 23 are put in place manually as the wall is dispensed from theonboard container.

[0036]FIG. 4 is a front view of containment wall 10 depending below thewater surface 28. The skirt of the wall 11 depending beneath the surfaceof the water 28 shows the anchor support holes. The vertical supportpoles 14 are shown inside the skirt. This allows the skirt to remainrigid, not allowing any buckling against the force of the current. Theconnecting zipper 22 is shown with the overlapping flap 23. The anchorweights 26 are attached to the wall skirt below the waterline 28 to keepthe lower wall skirt 11 from floating to the surface of the water. Theseanchor weights 26 are typically about 2 lbs. each and are space about 28inches apart. Each weight 26 hangs below the lower wall skirt 11 belowthe water line 28. It is hung with nylon cord 17, where the watersurface line is represented at 28.

[0037]FIG. 5 represents the left side view of counter balance systemassembled: Vertical counter balance beam 30 and the diagonal supportbeam 34 and horizontal counter balance support beam 32 assembled inoperating configuration. The vertical support beam 29 is constructed offree board that is covered in aluminum. The diagonal support beam 34must be light and strong. It has been found that a combination ofaluminum tubing with a fiberglass sheet overlay is acceptable. It isunderstood that other materials familiar to those skilled in the art canbe used as well. The counter balance beam 30 attaches to the wall 10above the water surface 28 and each is secured to the wall 10 by thestraps 16 on the wall, this allows for the wall 10 to remain plumb andnot fall over against winds. Horizontal counter balance beam 32, isconnected to beam 30, but rides on the waters surface. This allows forthe flotation of the wall. Horizontal counter balance beam 32 also ismade of freeboard covered in aluminum. The length of the board isconveniently about 5 feet. The horizontal counter balance beam 32 alsohouses counter balance pole 34 when stored.

[0038] Counter balance pole 34 is braced against both counter balancebeams 30 and 32 to form a floating triangle allowing for greaterstrength and the full support of the wall. The counter weight 36 aweight that is attached to the end of counter balance beam 32 whichallows for adequate support per square inch of wall not permitting forthe wall to tip over. This arrangement with the counter weights in placekeeps the assembly from tipping over, as from gust of wind. The counterweights 36 are also used as a drag to keep the counter balance assemblyin the water while being towed. The horizontal support spacer clamp 38acts as a locking clamp that keeps the horizontal spacer bar 42 inplace.

[0039]FIG. 6 represents the right side view of the assembled counterbalance system. Spacer guide loop 40 is used to attach the spacer guiderope 41 from counter balance to counter balance. The horizontal spacebar 42 is shown in its resting position along side of the vertical beam30. This space bar 42 when used is manually raised up from the side ofthe vertical beam 30 and move upwardly to attach to the next counterbalance beam 30. When in place the horizontal space bar 42 is used tosupport the balance of the wall 10. Thereby the counter balances workingtogether do not allow the wall 10 and counter balance beams to tip overon its side. The horizontal space bar 42 locks in place to thehorizontal spacer clamp 38 and is secured in place until manuallyremoved.

[0040] In FIG. 7 can be seen as an overhead view of containment wall 10with the counter balance system of the present invention above and belowthe water line 28. The spacer control rope 44 controls the movement ofcounter balance beam 32 keeping the required spacing and not allowingthe beams to drift together or float toward each other.

METHOD OF OPERATION

[0041] The oil containment system of the present invention can easily bedeployed from a tanker or other recovery vessels. The containment systemcan be conveniently stored on spools that are about 15 ft tall and areoperated by hydraulics for deployment. The recommended length of thissystem stored on board an oil carrying tanker is a square quarter milefor rapid deployment and containment. After the attempt to secure thesafety of its crewmembers and stabilize the leakage, the containmentsystem of the present invention can be deployed. Should the vessel beunable to deploy the containment system, the nearest harbor should haveenough footage of the containment system to secure the coastalshorelines, by deploying the wall out along the shoreline. While arescue and recovery vessel carrying another the containment system worksits way out to secure the perimeter of the spill. The hydraulic systemthat operates the spool and places it into position can be securedeither to the front or the back of the vessel for optimalmaneuverability. The spools are placed onto the water and each sectionof the wall is towed in a clockwise and counter clockwise direction, byseveral small outboards, such as lifeboats, they circle the spill atleast fifty meters away from the spill. With two trailing boats trailingto attach the counter balances. By working from the connecting pointsback to the spools the counter balances are placed such that the tensionstays on the wall until all counter balances have been placed thereon.Thus enabling successful upright flotation of the wall.

[0042] The clean up procedure of the wall may be accomplished asfollows. Once the spill has been retrieved, the wall is then reversedrolled back onto its spool. By removing the counter balance system fromthe closet to the spool, the spool is put into reverse mode. The wall isthen taken back to dock where the clean up process begins. The removalof the oil or any matter on the wall can be washed down as the spoolunwinds. The cleaning solution can be any oil cutting detergent andscrub the wall as it is reversed onto another spool. The oil or othermatter is collected and removed from the area. The spool is then placedback onto the vessel and stored.

[0043] The containment system can be stored in both places, on shore oron the vessels; it rests on its spool while the counter balances areplace in a stackable position in a storage container. The placement ofthis equipment requires either a stern or bow position for optimalmaneuverability. Optimally, there are sufficient counter balancespositioned on every mile stretch to keep the deployed wall floatable.

[0044] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only ofthe principles of the present invention. Further, since numerousmodifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in theart, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact contractionand operation shown and described, and all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to and which may fall by within the scope ofthe present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A counter balance for a flotation containmentsystem for use on a water surface consisting of a plurality of supportbeams attached to a flexible containment wall said wall extending aboveand below the water surface with a vertical support beam having an upperend and a lower end attached to the wall above the water surface; ahorizontal beam connected at right angles to at the lower end of thevertical beam and lying flat on the water surface; an angled beampositioned between the upper end of said vertical support beam and lowerend of said horizontal beam; a support space pole; and a counter weightattached to the end of each horizontal beam and depends below the waterline.
 2. A counter balance for a flotation containment system as setforth in claim in which said vertical support beam is secured to thecontainment wall using wall straps.
 3. A flotation containment system asset forth in claim 1 in which the flexible containment wall made is morerigid with vertical support poles which are placed inside the wall andspatially arranged between vertical support beams.
 4. A flotationcontainment system as forth in claim 1 in which a series of horizontalsupport spacer bars are locked into place using means for clampingbetween the horizontal beams.
 5. A flotation containment system as setforth in claim 1 in which there is provided tow loops above the waterline.
 6. A flotation containment system as set forth in claim 1 in whichthe containment wall has spatially connected anchor weights dependingbelow the water surface.
 7. A flotation containment system as set forthin claim 1 in which the containment wall is provided in modular unitshaving a connecting zipper and corresponding overlapping flap.
 8. Aflotation containment system as set forth in claim 1 in which thecontainment wall is provided with a spacer control rope between saidhorizontal counter balance beams
 9. A counter balance for a flotationcontainment system for use on a water surface consisting of a pluralityof floating support beams attached to a flexible containment wall saidwall extending above and below the water surface with a plurality ofspaced apart vertical support beams having an upper end and a lower endwherein the beam is vertically attached to the wall above the watersurface; a corresponding horizontal counter balance beam having a firstend and a spaced apart second end wherein the first end is connected tothe lower end of each vertical support and at right angles at the lowerend of the vertical beam and lying flat on the water surface; acorresponding angled counter balance beam positioned between the upperend of said vertical support beam and second end of said horizontalbeam; a vertical support spacer pole spatially arranged between saidvertical support beam; and spatially placed anchor weights are attachedto the wall extending below the water surface; a counter weight isattached to said second end of each horizontal beam and depending belowthe water line.